Russia condemns church attack in Jordan’s Karak, calls it ‘cynical terrorist act’

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned an attack near a church in Jordan’s southern Karak governorate that killed at least nine people.

Moscow considers attacks on religious sites and their visitors unacceptable and expressed solidarity with Jordan “in the fight against terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations,” the ministry said.

“We strongly condemn this cynical terrorist act, clearly aimed at undermining the interfaith peace and harmony that has developed in Jordanian society,” it said, expressing its “sincere” condolences to the leadership and people of Jordan, as well as the victims’ families and friends.

Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said Friday that unidentified gunmen opened fire near Hamoud Church and that security forces were pursuing the perpetrators.

Following the incident, Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan declared three days of nationwide mourning beginning Friday, Oct. 23.